
          Smithsonian Institution
April 16th 1856

My Dear Dr.

We arrived safely in Washington
on Thursday night and found that
Jane and Mr. Henry had taken good
care of themselves and our daughters.

I found your friend a very agreeable
gentleman and I was pleased to have
an opportunity to make his acquaintance

Mrs. H. was unwell when she
returned but is now much better 
and our hopes of her permanent
restoration to her health has revived

[?] is at the Instution to
day putting up the great barometer.
It is really an imposing instrument
and will, I am sure, serve to
indicate some of the minor fluctuations
        